Schlichter May Interest The Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals and free-agent quarterback Art Schlichter say they have high regard for each other, but neither will say if they have been in contact.

``We just don`t get into commenting on free-agent players we might or might not be interested in until we sign them,`` said Mike Brown, Cincinnati`s assistant general manager.

The Bengals have quarterbacks Boomer Esiason, Turk Schonert and Ken Anderson. Schonert has complained he has lacked playing time. His contract expires Feb. 1. ``Well, I`ve been contacted by many teams,`` Schlichter said. ``Of course, Cincinnati is close to my hometown, Washington Courthouse, and I`ve always been a Bengals` fan. Anything is a possibility.``

-- New Orleans Saints` owner Tom Benson says he hopes to name a general manager by the end of the week. The name most often heard as the front-runner is Jim Finks, former general manager of the Bears.

The Cubs didn`t offer new contracts to pitchers Lary Sorenson and Derek Botelho, making them free agents. The Cubs may have made the decision as a cost-cutting measure.

STING GETS DEFENDER

The Sting has continued its restructuring by trading its first-round draft pick to the Tacoma Stars for defender Lou Stojanovic, a veteran of Red Star Belgrade in the Yugoslavian First Division. He is expected to join the team Monday. After a 1-7 start, the Sting has won six of its last eight, including Friday`s 3-1 victory over the Minnesota Strikers in Bloomington, Minn. Neill Roberts, playing despite a bruised left shin, had two goals. He has a nine-game scoring streak. With Dallas` 8-4 loss to Baltimore, the Sting moved into fifth played in the Major Indoor Soccer League Eastern Division. It`s the first time the Sting has been out of last place this season.

UIC EDGES OHIO ST.

Paul Tory scored three goals, including the game-winner 2:46 into the final period, as Illinois-Chicago (8-15-1, 7-13) topped Ohio State (12-12, 9-11) 6-5 in a Central Collegiate Hockey Association game in Columbus, Ohio. Jim Hickey had 35 saves, including 18 in the final period.

IRWIN SHARES 1ST

Hale Irwin shot a 29 on the back nine, including birdies on the last four holes, to tie Scott Hoch for the lead after three rounds of the Bahamas Classic in Paradise Island. Irwin had an 8-under-par 64. He and Hoch were at 202, two shots ahead of Ed Fiori. . . . Tim Norris shot a 3-under 68 and held a two-stroke lead over Dan Forsman after three rounds of the Spalding Invitational in Pebble Beach, Calif. Norris was at 201.

LEWIS VOTED OFF

Calvin Smith, the world record holder in the 100 meters, has refuted Carl Lewis` contention that the Olympic champion`s teammates didn`t vote to kick him off the 4x100 relay team for the 1985 World Cup at Canberra, Australia. Lewis chose not to participate in practice--and Smith, Harvey Glance and Kirk Baptiste voted not to have him on the team, Smith said. Lewis was replaced by Dwayne Evans, and the U.S. team won in 38.10 seconds, the fastest time in the world last year and the fourth-fastest in history.

Anette Carlen of Sweden beat Bonnie Blair of Champaign in the 1,500 meters at a World Cup speedskating event in Inzell, West Germany. Carlen`s 2:09.35 time nipped Blair at 2:10.92. Blair won the 500 in 41.07.